EP2840864B1 - Management apparatus, method and communication system - Google Patents
Management apparatus, method and communication system Download PDFInfo
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- EP2840864B1 EP2840864B1 EP13778728.9A EP13778728A EP2840864B1 EP 2840864 B1 EP2840864 B1 EP 2840864B1 EP 13778728 A EP13778728 A EP 13778728A EP 2840864 B1 EP2840864 B1 EP 2840864B1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W72/00—Local resource management
- H04W72/20—Control channels or signalling for resource management
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04J—MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION
- H04J3/00—Time-division multiplex systems
- H04J3/16—Time-division multiplex systems in which the time allocation to individual channels within a transmission cycle is variable, e.g. to accommodate varying complexity of signals, to vary number of channels transmitted
- H04J3/1694—Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
- H04W28/16—Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/08—Access point devices
- H04W88/10—Access point devices adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/50—Service provisioning or reconfiguring
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Description
- The present invention relates to a management apparatus, a method and a communication system.
- Priority is claimed on
Japanese Patent Applications No. 2012-094948, filed April 18, 2012 - To achieve a high degree of automation at plants, factories, and such like, it is conventional to construct a distributed control system (DCS), in which devices known as field devices such as measuring devices and manipulating devices, and a control device for controlling them, are connected via a communication means. While most of the communication systems that form the foundation of such distributed control systems use wire communication, recently, some are being realized using wireless communication compliant with wireless communication standards for industrial automation, such as ISA100.11a and WirelessHART (Registered Trademark).
- ISA100.11a is a wireless communication standard for industrial automation established by the International Society of Automation (ISA). WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) is a wireless communication standard established by the US Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) Communications Foundation. Communication systems compliant with these wireless communication standards use time division multiple access (TDMA) as a media access control method, and provide a management apparatus known as a system manager (or a network manager) for managing the communication resources such as channels and timeslots in the TDMA.
- This communication system is characterized in that, since the management apparatus mentioned above manages the communication resources, multi-hop connection is possible in addition to single-hop connection. In a single-hop connection, a wireless device (e.g. a field device capable of wireless communication) and a wireless relay device (e.g. a backbone router or a wireless access point device) are connected directly. In a multi-hop connection, the wireless device is connected to the wireless relay device via another wireless device.
- The communication system described above is characterized in that connection information managed by the management apparatus (information for connecting a new wireless device to the wireless network) is supplied as advertisements from an advertisement router, thereby making it easy to connect a new wireless device to the wireless network. The
non-patent document 1 discloses a method of managing communication resources in ISA100.11a. - [Non-Patent Document 1] "ISA-100.11a-2009 Wireless systems for industrial automation: Process control and related applications", p.249-314
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US 2011/110291 A1 discloses a relay device for relaying first wireless communication and second wireless communication. The first wireless communication is based on a process control wireless communication standard, and the second wireless communication is based on another wireless communication standard than the process control wireless communication standard. The device includes: a superframe management unit configured to receive a first superframe of the first wireless communication from the outside and generate a second superframe of the second wireless communication based on the first superframe; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the second superframe to a wireless communication terminal performing the second wireless communication. -
WO 00/74420 A1 - Although ISA100.11a and WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) have many similarities, communication systems compliant with these standards are currently constructed independently from each other. This is because the management apparatuses provided in these communication systems manage the communication resources with absolutely no consideration for wireless networks implemented in other communication systems. Consequently, when a communication system compliant with ISA100.11a (hereinafter 'first communication system') and a communication system compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) (hereinafter 'second communication system') are both provided at, for example, a plant, in providing the wireless devices, wireless relay devices, backbone routers, and the like used in each of the communication systems, there is a constraint that, in a state of spatial division, the communication systems must be constructed separately.
- Due to this constraint, wireless devices, wireless relay devices, backbone routers, and the like must be provided separately for each of the first and second communication systems, leading to cost problems. Also, when, for example, the second communication system has been constructed, if there is a need to use a special wireless device that can only handle a communication protocol used in the first communication system, the first communication system must be newly constructed just to use that wireless device, incurring a huge cost. Also, when wanting to make a transition from, for example, the second communication system to the first communication system, while a gradual shift is preferable in terms of cost, due to the constraint mentioned above the shift must be made all at once, incurring a huge cost all at once.
- Conceivably, if dual stack technology were utilized so that communication protocols used in the first communication system and communication protocols used in the second communication system could both be handled by the wireless communication devices, the constraint mentioned above could be eliminated. However, in the first and second communication systems, since various processes such as transmitting and receiving must be completed within the timeslots managed by the management apparatuses, the packet frame is set to the smallest possible frame length. It is therefore difficult to provide a new field to store information for identifying communication protocols in the packet frame. Trying all the possible communication protocols is impractical, given the need to complete processing within the timeslot. Consequently, it is difficult to eliminate the constraint.
- Conceivably, if the frequency bands and channels used in the first and second communication systems were specified and kept separate, there would be no need to spatially separate the first and second communication systems and the constraint would thus be eliminated. However, when the channels used in the communication systems are specified, those channels are in an occupied state even while they are not actually being used, resulting in a problem of inefficient usage of communication resources. When the channels are specified, if the communication quality deteriorates due to changes in the surrounding circumstances, this deterioration is difficult to resolve. Conceivably, the communication resources could be used more efficiently if they were managed manually by a person. However, when the scale of the communication system increases, management becomes extremely complex, and manual management is therefore impractical.
- The present invention provides a management apparatus that enables wireless communication via a wireless network even if there is a mixture of wireless communication devices having different specifications on that wireless network, and a communication system including the management apparatus.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a management apparatus as set out in
independent claim 1, a communication system as set out in independent claim 5, and a management method as set out in independent claim 8. Advantageous developments are defined in the dependent claims. -
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the basic concept of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1 , the present invention uses an extended link EL, formed by extending a conventional link NL used in TDMA wireless communication and setting property information characterizing the wireless communication (hereinafter 'communication properties') CP on the link NL, thereby making it possible to perform wireless communication via the wireless network even if there is a mixture of wireless communication devices having different specifications on the wireless network. - The conventional link NL defines a channel CH and a timeslot TS, and specifies a communication direction (TX/RX). In addition to the communication direction (TX/RX) specified in the link NL, the communication property CP can also contain at least one of: information indicating a communication protocol, a frequency channel, an antenna, a modulation, a cryptographic algorithm, and a cryptographic key, which are used in the wireless communication, information indicating the bandwidth of the wireless communication, and information indicating a subnet to be connected to the wireless network.
- Let us imagine a communication system including a management apparatus M that manages the extended link EL, a wireless communication device D1 that can use three communication protocols while switching between them, and a wireless communication device D2 that can only use one communication protocol. Also, let us suppose that a communication protocol compliant with, for example, ISA100.11a 2009 ('communication protocol A') can be used in a 'first upper layer' of the wireless communication devices D1 and D2, a communication protocol compliant with, for example, ISA100.11a 2011 ('communication protocol B') can be used in a 'second upper layer' of the wireless communication device D1, and a communication protocol compliant with, for example, WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) ('communication protocol C') can be used in a 'third upper layer' of the wireless communication device D1.
- Let us suppose that the extended link EL1 managed by the management apparatus M contains information indicating 'communication protocol A' as the communication protocol CP1, and the extended link EL2 contains information indicating 'communication protocol C' as the communication protocol CP2. When the management apparatus M performs a process of setting the extended links EL1 and EL2 in the wireless communication device D1, the wireless communication device D1 becomes capable of wireless communication using 'communication protocol A' on the channel and in the timeslot defined in the extended link EL1, and becomes capable of wireless communication using 'communication protocol C' on the channel and timeslot defined by the extended link EL2. By using the extended links in this way, the wireless communication device D1 can perform communication using a different communication protocol in each timeslot, and can perform communication using a different antenna in each timeslot.
- The wireless communication device D2 can use only one communication protocol ('communication protocol A'), and the information that can be specified in the link NL is limited to the communication direction. Therefore, the management apparatus M performs a process of setting a conventional link NL (in other words, an extended link EL in which only the communication direction is set as the communication protocol) in the wireless communication device D2, while setting an extended link EL1 corresponding to the link NL1 constituting the communication property CP1 in the wireless communication device D1, thereby enabling the wireless communication devices D1 and D2 to wirelessly communicate via the wireless network N.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an extended link management unit manages extended links, in which a link used in TDMA wireless communication has been set with property information characterizing the wireless communication performed using that link, and the wireless communication device performs wireless communication under this management. Therefore, wireless communication can be performed via the wireless network even if there is a mixture of wireless communication devices having different specifications on that wireless network.
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FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the basic concept of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a communication system in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating the main constitutive parts of wireless devices in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating the main constitutive parts of wireless devices in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a coordinator in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5A is an example of database used in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5B is an example of database used in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed when setting a communication property in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is one example of a communication resource map created in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for joining a wireless network in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating extended links for advertisements in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a communication system in accordance with a second aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a communication system in accordance with a third aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 12 is block diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a convertible wireless device in accordance with a third aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating extended links for wireless subnet connection in accordance with the third aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 14 is one example illustrating a communication property database used in accordance with a fourth aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating one example of a communication property database used in a fifth aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the main constitutive part of a convertible wireless device in accordance with a sixth aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 17A is an explanatory diagram of extended links allocated in accordance with the sixth aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram of extended links allocated in accordance with the sixth aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating modulation method switching in accordance with the sixth aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a convertible wireless device in accordance with a seventh aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a convertible wireless device in accordance with the seventh aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating one example of a communication property database used in an eighth aspect not claimed by the invention. -
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a communication system wherein the eighth aspect not claimed by the invention. - A management apparatus and a communication system in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail while referring to the drawings.
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FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a communication system in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 2 , acommunication system 1 of the first preferred embodiment includeswireless devices 11a to 11e (wireless communication devices),wireless devices 12a to 12e (wireless communication devices),convertible wireless devices 13a to 13c (wireless communication devices), backbone routers (BBR) 20a and 20b, a coordinator 30 (management apparatus), atime server 40, and a gateway device (GW) 50, and can perform wireless communication using time division multiple access (TDMA) via wireless networks N1 and N2. - In the example of
FIG. 2 , the wireless network N1 is formed by thewireless devices 11a to 11d, thewireless device 12a, theconvertible wireless devices backbone router 20a, and the wireless network N2 is formed by thewireless device 11e, thewireless devices 12b to 12e, theconvertible wireless device 13c, and thebackbone router 20b. The number of wireless devices and convertible wireless devices forming the wireless networks N1 and N2 is arbitrary. - The
wireless devices 11a to 11e, thewireless devices 12a to 12e, and theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c are field devices installed at a plant or a factory, including, for example, sensors such as flow meters and temperature sensors, valve devices such as flow control valves and on-off valves, actuator devices such as fans and motors, and such like, and are capable of TDMA wireless communication. Here, thewireless devices 11a to lie are capable of wireless communication compliant with ISA100.11a, and thewireless devices 12a to 12e are capable of wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark). Theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c are capable of both wireless communication compliant with ISA100.11a and wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark). - In
FIG. 2 , to facilitate understanding, thewireless devices 11a to 11e capable of wireless communication compliant with ISA100.11a are depicted as white circles, and thewireless devices 12a to 12e capable of wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) are depicted as black circles. Theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c capable of both wireless communication compliant with ISA100.11a and wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) are depicted as white-and-black circles (circles with a white left-half and a black right-half). - The
backbone routers coordinator 30, thetime server 40, and thegateway device 50 are connected to, and relay data transmitted and received to and from the wireless networks N1 and N2 and the backbone network N3. Like theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c, thebackbone routers FIG. 2 , to facilitate understanding, thebackbone routers - In
FIG. 2 , the wireless devices depicted as white circles are capable of wireless communication with the other wireless devices depicted as white circles, with the convertible wireless devices depicted as white-and-black circles, and with the backbone routers depicted as white-and-black boxes. The wireless devices depicted as black circles are capable of wireless communication with the other wireless devices depicted as black circles, with the convertible wireless devices depicted as white-and-black circles, and with the backbone routers depicted as white-and-black boxes. - The convertible wireless devices depicted as white-and-black circles are capable of wireless communication with the wireless devices depicted as white circles, with the wireless devices depicted as black circles, with the other convertible wireless devices depicted as white-and-black circles, and with the backbone routers depicted as white-and-black boxes. This arrangement of the
convertible wireless devices 13a to 13c and thebackbone routers wireless devices 11a to 11e and thewireless device - The
coordinator 30 corresponds to the management apparatus M inFIG. 1 , and manages the wireless networks N1 and N2. Specifically, thecoordinator 30 ascertains all wireless communications performed via the wireless networks N1 and N2, allocates links to the wireless devices forming the wireless networks N1 and N2, and thereby manages the communication paths, communication timings, communication peers and the like of wireless communications performed via the wireless networks N1 and N2. A link defines the channel and timeslot used in TDMA wireless communication, and also specifies the communication direction (see link NL inFIG. 1 ). - The
coordinator 30 manages extended links, in each of which a communication property, which is property information characterizing wireless communications performed via the wireless networks N1 and N2, has been set on the link described above (see extended link EL inFIG. 1 ). In addition to the communication direction specified in the link NL, a communication property can also contain at least one of: information indicating a communication protocol, a frequency channel, an antenna, a modulation, a cryptographic algorithm, and a cryptographic key, which are used in the wireless communication, information indicating the bandwidth of the wireless communication, and information indicating a subnet to be connected to the wireless network (see communication property CP inFIG. 1 ). - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the first preferred embodiment enables multi-hop connection, in addition to single-hop connection. Single-hop connection is a connective state where a wireless device or a convertible wireless device is connected directly to a backbone router. Multi-hop connection is a connective state where a wireless device or convertible wireless device is connected via another wireless device or convertible wireless device to a wireless relay device. Thecoordinator 30 manages the communication properties such as to achieve a match between communication properties of wireless devices and convertible wireless devices that are adjacent to each other on the communication paths of the wireless networks N1 and N2. - The
time server 40 synchronizes the times of thebackbone routers coordinator 30, and thegateway device 50, which are connected to the backbone network N3. Thegateway device 50 connects the backbone network N3 to other networks (not shown). Thegateway device 50 is also managed by thecoordinator 30, which manages communication resources such as the communication paths between the wireless devices, the backbone routers, and such like forming the wireless networks N1 and N2. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating the main constitutive parts of wireless devices in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3A is a block diagram ofwireless devices 11 and 12, andFIG. 3B is a block diagram of aconvertible wireless device 13. Hereinafter, when there is no need to differentiate between each of thewireless devices 11a to 11e, thewireless devices 12a to 12e, and theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c, they will be referred to as wireless device 11,wireless device 12, andconvertible wireless device 13. - As shown in
FIG. 3A , thewireless devices 11 and 12 include a wirelesscommunication interface unit 61 and aprotocol processing unit 62. The wirelesscommunication interface unit 61 transmits signals processed in theprotocol processing unit 62 as wireless signals; in addition, it receives wireless signals transmitted from the outside and outputs the received signals to theprotocol processing unit 62. Theprotocol processing unit 62 performs a protocol process according to a predetermined wireless communication standard. Specifically, theprotocol processing unit 62 provided in the wireless device 11 performs a protocol process according to ISA100.11a, and theprotocol processing unit 62 provided in thewireless device 12 performs a protocol process according to WirelessHART (Registered Trademark). - As shown in
FIG. 3B , theconvertible wireless device 13 includes a wirelesscommunication interface unit 61,protocol processing units protocol processing unit 63, and an extendedlink processing unit 64. The wirelesscommunication interface unit 61 and theprotocol processing units communication interface unit 61 and theprotocol processing unit 62 provided in thewireless devices 11 and 12. However, theprotocol processing units - For example, the
protocol processing unit 62a performs a protocol process according to ISA100.11a, and theprotocol processing unit 62b performs a protocol process according to WirelessHART (Registered Trademark). WhileFIGS. 3A and 3B show twoprotocol processing units convertible wireless device 13 can use. - The extended link
protocol processing unit 63 transmits and receives communication properties. Specifically, the extended linkprotocol processing unit 63 receives communication properties contained in extended links EL from theprotocol processing units protocol processing unit 63 outputs extended links received from theprotocol processing units link processing unit 64. The extendedlink processing unit 64 performs processes according to the links obtained by processes of theprotocol processing units protocol processing unit 63. For example, it performs processes such as switching the communication protocols or antennas used in wireless communication. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a coordinator in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4 , thecoordinator 30 includes abackbone interface 31,virtual interface units protocol processing units link management unit 34. Thebackbone interface 31 transmits signals from thevirtual interface units virtual interface units - The
virtual interface units backbone interface 31 and theprotocol processing units protocol processing units protocol processing unit 33a performs a protocol process according to ISA100.11a, and theprotocol processing unit 33b performs a protocol process according to WirelessHART (Registered Trademark). WhileFIG. 4 shows twoprotocol processing units coordinator 30 can use. - The extended
link management unit 34 includes a template database DB1 (first database) and a communication property database DB2 (second database), and refers to these databases while managing the extended links. In addition, the extendedlink management unit 34 sets communication properties for the wireless devices, backbone routers, and such like forming the wireless networks N1 and N2. The template database DB1 stores information (templates) needed when setting communication properties for the wireless devices, backbone routers, and such like forming the wireless networks N1 and N2. In contrast, the communication property database DB2 stores communication properties that are presently set for the wireless devices, backbone routers, and such like forming the wireless networks N1 and N2. -
FIGS. 5A and5B are examples of databases used in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5A is an example of the template database DB1, andFIG. 5B is an example of communication property database DB2. As shown inFIG. 5A , the template database DB1 stores templates including, for example, the following information. - Device type ID
- Support protocols
- Occupy timeslot
- Protocol switching margin
- Number of subnets
- Wireless I/F
- Number of wireless I/F
- Default property
- As shown in
FIG. 5B , the communication property database DB2 stores communication properties including, for example, the following information for each of the wireless devices and backbone routers forming the wireless networks N1 and N2. - Owner device ID
- Peer device ID
- Direction
- Protocol
- Timeslot start
- Cycle
- Duration
- Channel
- Property group
- The pieces of information shown in
FIGS. 5A and5B are merely examples, and other information can be used. For example, when the wireless device includes a plurality of antennas, information for specifying an antenna for use in wireless communication can be used. The group ID of the communication properties is used for correlating a plurality of communication properties. For example, it is used when two communication properties are correlated in bidirectional communication, or when communication properties are allocated along a communication path, etc. By handling a plurality of communication properties as a single group using this group ID, the communication properties can be managed easily. - Subsequently, an operation performed when a communication property is set in the communication system having this configuration will be explained. To facilitate understanding, the example described below is one where the
convertible wireless device 13a makes a request for resource allocation to thecoordinator 30 in order to newly start wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark), and thecoordinator 30 allocates communication properties to theconvertible wireless device 13a. It is assumed that, in an initial state, theconvertible wireless device 13a can perform wireless communication compliant with ISA100.11a with thewireless device 11d and thebackbone router 20a. -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed when setting a communication property in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Of steps S0 to S2 inFIG. 6 , step S0 and S2 are processes performed by theconvertible wireless device 13a when setting a communication property, and step S1 is a process performed by thecoordinator 30 when setting the same communication property. - Firstly, a request for allocation of resources needed to perform new wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) is transmitted from the
convertible wireless device 13a to the coordinator 30 (step S0). The process of transmitting this allocation request is performed by theprotocol processing unit 62a, which performs a protocol process according to ISA100.11a (seeFIG. 3B ). The communication resource allocation request transmitted from theconvertible wireless device 13a passes through the wireless communication network N1, thebackbone router 20a, and the backbone network N3 in that order, and is received by thebackbone interface 31 of the coordinator 30 (step S11). - The communication resource allocation request received by the
backbone interface 31 is output to thevirtual interface units protocol processing units virtual interface unit 32a identifies the communication protocol used in transmitting the communication resource allocation request as ISA100.11a, and theprotocol processing unit 33a performs a protocol process according to ISA100.11a. When this protocol process creates a need for a new link to be allocated, theprotocol processing unit 33a outputs a link allocation request to the extendedlink management unit 34. - When a link allocation request is input, the extended
link management unit 34 searches the template database DB1 and performs a process of acquiring information relating to the communication protocol to be used in a new wireless communication (step S13). Specifically, the extendedlink management unit 34 uses the device type ID of theconvertible wireless device 13a that made the communication resource allocation request, and information indicating the communication protocol to be used in a new wireless communication, as keys in searching the template database DB1, and acquires information such as the occupy timeslot needed for the wireless communication and the communication protocol switching margin (seeFIG. 5A ). - When it acquires the information relating to the communication protocol, the extended
link management unit 34 searches the communication property database DB2 and performs a process of acquiring the links and communication properties that have been set in theconvertible wireless device 13a (step S14). Specifically, the extendedlink management unit 34 uses the owner device ID of theconvertible wireless device 13a that made the communication allocation resource request as a key in searching the communication property database DB2, and thus acquires the links and communication properties. - The extended
link management unit 34 acquires the owner device IDs of the communication peers of theconvertible wireless device 13a (thewireless device 11d, theconvertible wireless device 13b, and thebackbone router 20a) from the communication properties acquired in the process of step S14. The extendedlink management unit 34 then uses these owner device IDs as keys in searching the communication property database DB2, and performs a process of acquiring the links and communication properties that have been set in the communication peers of theconvertible wireless device 13a (step S15). This process is performed to allocate new links and communication properties, without affecting existing communications. - When the above processes end, the extended
link management unit 34 creates a communication resource map indicating the allocation state of channels, timeslots, and communication properties shown inFIG. 7 , from the links and communication properties it acquired in steps S14 and S15.FIG. 7 is one example of a communication resource map created in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Communication properties CP10 inFIG. 7 were acquired in step S14, and communication properties CP11 were acquired in step S15. - The extended
link management unit 34 considers the information relating to the communication protocol acquired in step S13 and determines the links that can be allocated, and then creates an extended link with the new communication properties set on it (step S16). Specifically, the extendedlink management unit 34 considers the information indicating the occupy timeslot needed for the wireless communication and the protocol switching margin and such like, acquired in step S13, and determines the channels and timeslots that can be allocated. It then allocates communication properties (the communication properties CP12 inFIG. 7 ) for enabling wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark). - When this process ends, the extended link created by the extended
link management unit 34 is output to theprotocol processing unit 33a, and is transmitted to the backbone network N3 by a process performed by theprotocol processing unit 33a (step S17). The extended link allocation message transmitted to the backbone network N3 passes through thebackbone router 20a and the wireless communication network N1 in that order, and is received at the wirelesscommunication interface unit 61 of theconvertible wireless device 13a (step S21). - The extended link allocation message received at the wireless
communication interface unit 61 is output to theprotocol processing unit 62a, and the link contained in the extended link is processed (step S22). In contrast, it is not always possible to process all the communication properties contained in the extended link (the communication properties CP12 inFIG. 7 ) in theprotocol processing unit 62a, and they are therefore output from theprotocol processing unit 62a to the extended linkprotocol processing unit 63, where they are processed. Specifically, the extended linkprotocol processing unit 63 performs a process of setting properties defined by communication properties contained in the extended link (step S23). - The communication properties contained in the extended link are transmitted from the extended link
protocol processing unit 63 to the extendedlink processing unit 64. The extendedlink processing unit 64 is now able to switch the communication protocol in each timeslot, based on the link processed in step S22 and the communication properties obtained after the process of step S23 (step S24). - By the processes described above, the
convertible wireless device 13a becomes capable of new wireless communication compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark), in addition to wireless communication compliant with ISA100.11a. However, for theconvertible wireless device 13a to actually perform wireless communication, setting must also be performed for its communication peers (e.g. thewireless device 11d and theconvertible wireless device 13b). Accordingly, thecoordinator 30 performs processes similar to those from step S13 onward inFIG. 6 , and performs settings for the communication peers of theconvertible wireless device 13a. - Specifically, in regard to the
convertible wireless device 13b, which is a communication peer of theconvertible wireless device 13a, the following process is performed. As in step S13 ofFIG. 6 , the extendedlink management unit 34 of thecoordinator 30 searches the template database DB1 and performs a process of acquiring information relating to a communication protocol for theconvertible wireless device 13b. As in step S14 ofFIG. 6 , the extendedlink management unit 34 then searches the communication property database DB2, and performs a process of acquiring links and communication properties that have been set in theconvertible wireless device 13b. - As in step S15 of
FIG. 6 , the extendedlink management unit 34 acquires the device IDs of the communication peers of theconvertible wireless device 13b (thewireless device 12a and theconvertible wireless device 13a). It then searches the communication property database DB2 again, and performs a process of acquiring the links and communication properties that have been set in the communication peers of theconvertible wireless device 13b. - When this process ends, as in step S16 of
FIG. 6 , the extendedlink management unit 34 creates a communication resource map similar to the one shown inFIG. 7 , determines the links that can be allocated after considering the information relating to the communication protocol for theconvertible wireless device 13b, and creates an extended link with new communication properties set on it. The extended link created by the process described above is transmitted to theconvertible wireless device 13b, and, as in steps S17 to S24 inFIG. 6 , a process of setting the extended link in theconvertible wireless device 13b is performed. - Thereafter, when the
convertible wireless device 13a is capable of wireless communication compliant with both ISA100.11a and WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) and makes a communication resource allocation request to thecoordinator 30, an ISA100.11a communication resource allocation request can be performed in theprotocol processing unit 62a that performs a protocol process according to ISA100.11a (seeFIG. 3B ), and a WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) communication resource allocation request can be performed in theprotocol processing unit 62b that performs a protocol process according to WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) (seeFIG. 3B ). - When the communication peer of the
convertible wireless device 13a is thewireless device 11d, the process performed is basically the same as that performed in regard to theconvertible wireless device 13b. However, in step S13 ofFIG. 6 , when the extendedlink management unit 34 searches the template database DB1 and acquires the information relating to the communication protocol for thewireless device 11d, it identifies thewireless device 11d as a normal wireless device capable of using only one protocol. Accordingly, in step S16 ofFIG. 6 , the extendedlink management unit 34 considers the fact that thewireless device 11d is a normal wireless device in allocating the link. Since thewireless device 11d is a normal wireless device, step S23 inFIG. 6 is omitted. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , in thecommunication system 1 of the first preferred embodiment, the wireless networks N1 and N2 are formed by a mixture ofwireless devices 11a to 11e that use a communication protocol compliant with ISA100.11a ('communication protocol A'), andwireless devices 12a to 12e that use a communication protocol compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) ('communication protocol C'). The first preferred embodiment includes an advertisement router capable of supplying both advertisements for thewireless devices 11a to 11e and advertisements for thewireless devices 12a to 12e, making it possible to connect any of thewireless devices 11a to 11e and thewireless devices 12a to 12e to the wireless networks N1 and N2. -
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for joining a wireless network in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. To facilitate understanding, the wireless network N1, thetime server 40, and thegateway device 50 ofFIG. 2 are not shown inFIG. 8 . Also, of the wireless devices constituting the wireless network N2, only thewireless device 11e, thewireless device 12b, and theconvertible wireless device 13c are shown inFIG. 8 . - Let us suppose that the
wireless device 11e and thewireless device 12b are attempting to connect to (join) the wireless network N2, and that theconvertible wireless device 13c functions as an advertisement router that supplies information for connecting thewireless devices wireless device 11e is using 'communication protocol A' and thewireless device 12b is using 'communication protocol C', in accordance with extended link set by thecoordinator 30, theconvertible wireless device 13c supplies an advertisement A1 for 'communication protocol A' and an advertisement A2 for 'communication protocol C'. -
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating extended links for advertisements in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The communication properties CP13 inFIG. 9 are extended properties set in an extended link regarding the advertisement A1, and contain information indicating 'communication protocol A'. The communication properties CP14 inFIG. 9 are extended properties set in an extended link regarding the advertisement A2, and contain information indicating 'communication protocol C'. In the example ofFIG. 9 , the advertisements A1 and A2 are supplied alternately using different channels. - Since the
wireless device 11e can only use 'communication protocol A', it is unable to receive the advertisement A2 for 'communication protocol C' supplied from theconvertible wireless device 13c, and only receives the advertisement A1 for 'communication protocol A'. In contrast, since thewireless device 12b can only use 'communication protocol C', it is unable to receive the advertisement A1 for 'communication protocol A' supplied from theconvertible wireless device 13c, and only receives the advertisement A2 for 'communication protocol C'. - The advertisements A1 and A2 supplied from the
convertible wireless device 13c contain information specifying links used for respectively transmitting join requests J1 and J2 from the wireless device lie and thewireless device 12b. The wireless device lie and thewireless device 12b that received the advertisements A1 and A2 therefore transmit the join requests J1 and J2 to theconvertible wireless device 13c using the links specified in the information respectively contained in the advertisements A1 and A2. The links used for transmitting the join requests J1 and J2 are set by thecoordinator 30, separately from the extended links used for supplying the advertisements A1 and A2. - By limiting the advertisements A1 and A2 supplied from the
convertible wireless device 13c, it is possible to limit the wireless devices that join the wireless network N2. For example, if only the advertisement A1 for 'communication protocol A' is supplied from theconvertible wireless device 13c, only wireless devices that can use 'communication protocol A' will be able to join, and if only the advertisement A2 for 'communication protocol C' is supplied, only wireless devices that can use 'communication protocol C' will be able to join. - As described above, in the first preferred embodiment, the
coordinator 30 manages extended links containing information indicating a communication protocol added to a conventional link used in TDMA wireless communication. In addition, information indicating the communication protocols contained in the extended links is set in theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c, which can use a plurality of communication protocols. Therefore, if the communication protocols are managed so that they match with the communication peers, even when there is a mixture of wireless devices using different communication protocols on the wireless networks N1 and N2, wireless communication will be possible via those wireless networks N1 and N2. -
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a communication system in accordance with a second aspect not claimed by the invention. As shown inFIG. 10 , acommunication system 2 of the second aspect not claimed by the invention includeswireless devices convertible wireless device 13d, abackbone router 20c, and acoordinator 30, and can switch between antennas AT1 and AT2 of theconvertible wireless device 13d using extended links. In the second aspect not claimed by the invention, the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2 used by thecoordinator 30 contain information specifying the antennas AT1 and AT2, and the antennas AT1 and AT2 can be switched using this information. - The
wireless devices convertible wireless device 13d, and thebackbone router 20c are respectively similar to thewireless devices 11a to 11e, theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c, and thebackbone routers FIG. 2 . However, theconvertible wireless device 13d differs from theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c in that it includes two switchable antennas AT1 and AT2 with different gains. InFIG. 10 , wave propagation range R1 is the range of waves transmitted from the antenna AT1, and wave propagation range R2 is the range of waves transmitted from the antenna AT2. The antenna AT1 has a lower gain than the antenna AT2, and the wave propagation range R1 is narrower than the wave propagation range R2. - The
coordinator 30 is similar to thecoordinator 30 shown inFIG. 2 . However, while thecoordinator 30 ofFIG. 2 managed the extended links with communication properties containing communication protocols, thecoordinator 30 ofFIG. 10 differs in that it manages extended links with communication properties containing information specifying one of the antennas AT1 and AT2. - By managing such extended links with information specifying the antennas AT1 and AT2 added thereto, it is possible to switch the antennas AT1 and AT2. For example, the
convertible wireless device 13d uses the low-gain antenna AT1 to perform wireless communication with thewireless device 11f, which is installed adjacent to it, and uses the high-gain antenna AT2 to perform wireless communication with thewireless device 11g, which is installed at a distant position. - The
wireless device 11f is installed within the wave propagation range Rl, and is also within the wave propagation range R2. Consequently, when theconvertible wireless device 13d is functioning as an advertisement router, thewireless device 11f receives advertisements transmitted from both the antenna AT1 and the antenna AT2. Conceivably, as a result of the advertisement transmitted the antenna AT2, thewireless device 11f may request to join the wireless communication network N4. In that case, after thewireless device 11f has been allowed to join the wireless communication network N4, the antenna is switched so that wireless communication can be performed with thewireless device 11f using the antenna AT1, and the links and the communication properties are reset. -
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a communication system in accordance with a third aspect not claimed by the invention. As shown inFIG. 11 , acommunication system 3 of the third aspect not claimed by the invention includeswireless devices 11a to 11d, awireless device 12f, aconvertible wireless device 14, abackbone router 20a, acoordinator 30, atime server 40, and agateway 50, and enables a plurality of wireless subnets N11 and N12 to be connected using extended links. - The wireless subnet N11 is an original wireless network formed by the
wireless devices 11a to 11d, theconvertible wireless device 14, and thebackbone router 20a. The wireless subnet N12 is a provisional wireless network formed by theconvertible wireless device 14 and thewireless device 12f, for performing over-the-air (OTA) provisioning of thewireless device 12f. Provisioning is a process of pre-setting information needed when the wireless device 12fjoins the wireless subnet N11, and the OTA provisioning mentioned above is a method of performing provisioning via the wireless subnet N11 that thewireless device 12f is attempting to join. - The purpose of separating the wireless subnet N11, which is the original network, and the provisional wireless subnet N12 for OTA provisioning is to maintain security. In the OTA provisioning stage, the
wireless device 12f has not been authenticated, and a cryptographic key K11 used on the wireless subnet N11 cannot be appended to thewireless device 12f. Therefore, security is maintained by providing the wireless subnet N12 separately from the wireless subnet N11, and appending a cryptographic key K12 that is different from the cryptographic key K11. The cryptographic key K21 shown inFIG. 11 is used in communicating with thecoordinator 30 and thewireless device 11d, and the cryptographic key K22 is used in communicating with thecoordinator 30 and thewireless device 12f. - The
convertible wireless device 14 can perform wireless communication via the wireless subnet N11 and via the wireless subnet N12. In addition to connecting the wireless subnets N11 and N12, theconvertible wireless device 14 functions as a provisioning-type router that performs OTA provisioning of thewireless device 12f.FIG. 12 is block diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a convertible wireless device in accordance with a third aspect not claimed by the invention - The
convertible wireless device 13 shown inFIG. 3B is configured by extending theprotocol processing unit 62 of thewireless devices 11 and 12 shown inFIG. 3A and adding theprotocol processing units FIG. 12 , theconvertible wireless device 14 is configured by addingsubnet processing units subnet processing unit 65a performs a process needed for performing wireless communication via the wireless subnet N11, and thesubnet processing unit 65b performs a process needed for performing wireless communication via the wireless subnet N12. - The
coordinator 30 manages extended links with communication properties containing subnet IDs (IDs allocated arbitrarily to each of the wireless subnets N11 and N12). By managing such extended links with subnet IDs added to them, it becomes possible to switch between wireless communication via the wireless subnet N11 and wireless communication via the wireless subnet N12, and thereby connect the wireless subnets N11 and N12. - The
coordinator 30 must allocate the extended links such that the channels and timeslots of the wireless subnets N11 and N12 do not collide (overlap). Specifically, thecoordinator 30 stores the information allocated to the wireless subnets N11 and N12 in the communication property database DB2, and, as shown inFIG. 13 , manages the links of theconvertible wireless device 14 as communication properties CP21, CP22, and CP31 to CP33.FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating extended links for wireless subnet connection in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. By managing them in this manner, it is possible to prevent collisions (overlaps) in the allocation of channels and timeslots on the wireless subnets N11 and N12. -
FIG. 14 is one example illustrating a communication property database used in accordance with a fourth aspect not claimed by the invention. As shown inFIG. 14 , the communication property database DB2 used in the fourth aspect not claimed by the invention includes the communication property database DB2 ofFIG. 5B , with information indicating media access control (MAC) layers added thereto. The information indicating the MAC layers is added not only to the property database DB2 but also to the template database DB1. - In the fourth aspect not claimed by the invention, the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2 with the information indicating the MAC layers added to them are managed by the
coordinator 30, whereby it is possible to switch the MAC layer used by the convertible wireless device. For example, if a MAC layer compliant with IEEE802.15.4 and a MAC layer compliant with IEEE802.15.4e are provided in the convertible wireless device, and information indicating one of them ('15.4' and '15.4e' inFIG. 14 ) is stored in the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2 managed by thecoordinator 30, the MAC layer can be switched. -
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating one example of a communication property database used in a fifth aspect not claimed by the invention. As shown inFIG. 15 , the communication property database DB2 used in the fifth aspect not claimed by the invention includes the communication property database DB2 shown inFIG. 5B with information indicating frequency bands (Freq) added thereto. As in the fourth aspect not claimed by the invention, the information indicating frequency bands is added not only to the communication property database DB2 but also to the template database DB1. - In the fifth aspect not claimed by the invention, the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2 with the information indicating frequency bands added to them are managed by the
coordinator 30, enabling the frequency bands used by the convertible wireless device to be used selectively. For example, the convertible wireless device is provided with two of the wireless communication interface units 61 (physical layer) shown inFIG. 3B , one using a frequency band near 2.4 GHz (Industry-Science-Medical (ISM) band) and the other using a frequency band near 1 GHz (Sub 1GHz). If information indicating one of them ('2.4 GHz' and '915 MHz' inFIG. 15 ) is stored in the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2 managed by thecoordinator 30, the frequency bands can be used selectively. -
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the main constitutive part of a convertible wireless device in accordance with a sixth aspect not claimed by the invention . As shown inFIG. 16 , aconvertible wireless device 15 in the sixth aspect not claimed by the invention is configured by adding abandwidth adjustment unit 66 to theconvertible wireless device 13 ofFIG. 3B , and the bandwidth can be adjusted under the management of thecoordinator 30. Information indicating the bandwidth of theconvertible wireless device 15 is stored in the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2, and, based on this information stored in the databases, thecoordinator 30 adjusts the bandwidth of theconvertible wireless device 15. - The
bandwidth adjustment unit 66 monitors the communication quality of wireless communications performed via the wirelesscommunication interface unit 61, and outputs a monitoring result to the extendedlink processing unit 64. For example, it monitors whether the bandwidth has become insufficient based on the incidence and quantity of transmitted data, and, when the bandwidth is insufficient, it outputs information indicating this insufficiency to the extendedlink processing unit 64. In accordance with the monitoring result of thebandwidth adjustment unit 66, the extendedlink processing unit 64 makes a request for a change of the existing communication resources to thecoordinator 30. -
FIGS. 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams of extended links allocated in accordance with the sixth aspect not claimed by the invention.FIG. 17A shows an allocation of extended links in an initial state, andFIG. 17B shows an allocation of extended links after the allocation has been changed. Let us suppose that, in the initial state, there are three extended links with the same communication property CP41 allocated to them, and one extended link with communication property CP42 allocated to it. A convertible wireless device that performs a communication using an extended link with communication property CP41 allocated to it has three times the bandwidth of a convertible wireless device that performs a communication using the extended link with communication property 42 allocated to it. - Let us now consider a case where the
convertible wireless device 15 performs a communication using the extended link with communication property CP42 allocated to it, shown inFIG. 17A . While this communication is being performed, thebandwidth adjustment unit 66 provided in theconvertible wireless device 15 constantly monitors the communication quality. For example, based on the incidence and quantity of transmitted data, it monitors whether the bandwidth has become insufficient. When the bandwidth has become insufficient, thebandwidth adjustment unit 66 outputs information indicating this insufficiency to the extendedlink processing unit 64, and theconvertible wireless device 15 transmits a signal requesting the addition of a link attached to communication property CP42 to thecoordinator 30. This request is not a request for allocation of a new communication resource; it is a request for a change to an existing communication resource. - When the
coordinator 30 receives this request from theconvertible wireless device 15, it processes the request in the extended link management unit 34 (seeFIG. 4 ), and, as shown inFIG. 17B , adds the number of extended links that communication property CP42 is allocated to. The information indicating extended links that has been changed in this manner is transmitted from thecoordinator 30 to theconvertible wireless device 15, and is processed in the extended linkprotocol processing unit 63. When the content of this process is reflected in the extendedlink processing unit 64, communication is performed using the updated extended links (the two extended links that communication property CP42 is allocated to). - While the above description relates to an example where the bandwidth is increased by adding an extended link, the bandwidth can also be reduced by removing an extended link. It is also possible to switch the modulation method to one other than adjusting the bandwidth by increasing or reducing the bandwidth. When switching the modulation method, information indicating the modulation method is stored in the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2. Moreover, when the modulation methods have different bandwidths, information indicating the occupy bandwidth of each modulation method can be stored in the template database DB1, and the extended
link management unit 34 of thecoordinator 30 can refer to this information when performing processing. -
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating modulation method switching in accordance with the sixth aspect not claimed by the invention InFIG. 18 , the three extended links with the same communication property CP41 allocated to them use a modulation method defined by, for example, Wi-Fi (Registered Trademark), and the extended link with communication property CP42 allocated to it uses a modulation method defined by, for example, IEEE802.15.4. In the sixth aspect not claimed by the invention it is possible to switch between such different modulation methods. - The maximum transmission unit (MTU: the maximum unit of data that can be transmitted in one transfer) may differ according to the communication media. For example, when the
convertible wireless device 15 functions as a router device on the communication path and transfers packets, the MTU set in the wireless device which is the transmission source of the data may be larger than the MTU set in theconvertible wireless device 15. In that case, preferably, thebandwidth adjustment unit 66 detects the size of the packet and changes the MTU according to the detected size of the packet. Methods for changing the MTU include: a method where theconvertible wireless device 15 directly notifies the wireless device which is the transmission source that the packet size is excessive, and a method where theconvertible wireless device 15 notifies thecoordinator 30 that the packet size is excessive, and thecoordinator 30 sets the MTU in the wireless device which is the transmission source. -
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the main constitutive part of a convertible wireless device in accordance with a seventh aspect not claimed by the invention. As shown inFIG. 19 , aconvertible wireless device 16 in the seventh aspect not claimed by the invention is configured by adding aprotocol analysis unit 67 to theconvertible wireless device 13 shown inFIG. 3B , and includes the function of an advertisement router similar to theconvertible wireless device 13c shown inFIG. 8 . Theconvertible wireless device 16 with this configuration can analyze communication protocols used by a wireless device that made a request to join. - As was described using
FIG. 8 , theconvertible wireless device 13c including the function of an advertisement router can supply an advertisement A1 for a communication protocol compliant with ISA100.11a ('communication protocol A') and an advertisement A2 for a communication protocol compliant with WirelessHART (Registered Trademark) ('communication protocol C'). Normally, since the frame format of advertisements is different for each communication protocol, a wireless device cannot receive an advertisement for a communication protocol that is different from the one it is using. Therefore, if thecoordinator 30 and theconvertible wireless device 13c refer to the links that the wireless device used in transmitting the join requests J1 and J2, they can ascertain the communication protocol that the wireless device is using. - However, in a case where the advertisements are compatible even though the communication protocols are different (e.g. when the communication protocols differ only that they are different versions), the wireless device can receive both advertisements for the communication protocol that it is using and advertisements for a different version of that communication protocol. Since such a wireless device can make a join request using any of the advertisements, the communication protocol the wireless device is using cannot be ascertained simply by referring to the link that it used to transmit the join request. By using the
convertible wireless device 16 including theprotocol analysis unit 67, the seventh preferred embodiment makes it possible to analyze the communication protocol being used by the wireless device that made a join request, even in a case such as this. -
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a convertible wireless device in accordance with the seventh aspect not claimed by the invention. The processing of the flowchart ofFIG. 20 starts when a packet is input to theconvertible wireless device 16. When processing starts, the wirelesscommunication interface unit 61 of theconvertible wireless device 16 subjects the packet to a reception process (step S31). The extendedlink processing unit 64 then determines whether the extended link used in transmitting the packet that was subjected to the reception process is a join request link (an extended link used in transmitting and receiving join requests) (step S32). - When it is determined that the extended link is a join request link (when the determination result of step S32 is 'YES'), the
protocol analysis unit 67 analyzes the communication protocol used in transmitting and receiving the packet (step S33), and determines whether this communication protocol is 'communication protocol A' (step S34). When theprotocol analysis unit 67 determines that it is 'communication protocol A' (when the determination result of step S34 is 'YES'), the packet that was received at theconvertible wireless device 16 is processed in theprotocol processing unit 62a (step S35). - When it is determined that the communication protocol used in transmitting and receiving the packet is not 'communication protocol A' (when the determination result in step S34 is 'NO'), the
protocol analysis unit 67 determines whether the communication protocol is 'communication protocol C' (step S36). When theprotocol analysis unit 67 determines that it is 'communication protocol C' (when the determination result of step S36 is 'YES'), the packet that was received at theconvertible wireless device 16 is processed in theprotocol processing unit 62b (step S37). When theprotocol analysis unit 67 determines that the communication protocol used in transmitting and receiving the packet is not 'communication protocol C' (when the determination result in step S36 is 'NO'), it performs an error process and drops the packet (step S38). - On the other hand, in step S32, when the extended
link processing unit 64 determines that the extended link is not a join request link (when the determination result of step S32 is 'NO'), it acquires the communication protocol specified in the communication property set in the extended link that was used in transmitting the packet, and determines whether it is 'communication protocol A' (step S39). When it determines that it is 'communication protocol A' (when the determination result of step S39 is 'YES'), the packet that was received at theconvertible wireless device 16 is processed in theprotocol processing unit 62a (step S35). - In contrast, when it is determined not to be 'communication protocol A' (when the determination result of step S39 is 'NO'), the extended
link processing unit 64 determines whether the communication protocol is 'communication protocol C' (step S40). When it is determined to be 'communication protocol C' (when the determination result of step S40 is 'YES'), the packet that was received at theconvertible wireless device 16 is processed in theprotocol processing unit 62b (step S37). When it is determined in step S40 not to be 'communication protocol C' (when the determination result is 'NO'), theprotocol analysis unit 67 performs an error process and drops the packet (step S38). - As described above, since the seventh preferred embodiment uses the
convertible wireless device 16 including theprotocol analysis unit 67, even if theconvertible wireless device 16 supplies advertisements using communication protocols which are different yet have compatible advertisements, it is possible to analyze the communication protocol used by a wireless device that has made a join request. Therefore, a packet transmitted from the wireless device that made the join request can be processed appropriately, and problems arising from differences in the versions of the communication protocols can be prevented. -
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating one example of a communication property database used in an eighth aspect not claimed by the invention. As shown inFIG. 21 , a communication property database DB2 used in the eighth aspect not claimed by the invention includes the communication property database DB2 ofFIG. 5B with information indicating cryptographic keys (DL keys) added to it. The cryptographic keys are used in a data link layer of an OSI reference model. - The example of
FIG. 21 only shows the cryptographic keys that are used in communications between theconvertible wireless device 13c ofFIG. 2 and thebackbone router 20b, thewireless device 11e, and thewireless device 12b. Specifically, 'Key A' is used in communications between theconvertible wireless device 13c and thebackbone router 20b, and between theconvertible wireless device 13c and thewireless device 11e, while 'Key B' is used in communications between theconvertible wireless device 13c and thewireless device 12b. - Thus, in the eighth aspect not claimed by the invention, the
coordinator 30 manages the template database DB1 with the number of cryptographic keys that can be used simultaneously added to it, and the communication property database DB2 with cryptographic keys set in it, thereby making it possible to switch the cryptographic key in each link. It is therefore possible to use different cryptographic keys for two devices that are wirelessly communicating in the same wireless subnet. While this example is one where the number of cryptographic keys and the cryptographic keys are respectively added to the template database DB1 and the communication property database DB2, in addition, cryptographic algorithms supported by the wireless devices and the cryptographic algorithms they are actually using could also be respectively added. - In the third aspect not claimed by the invention, as described using
FIG. 11 , the wireless subnet N11, which is the original network, and the provisional wireless subnet N12 for OTA provisioning are separated to maintain security, and are connected by theconvertible wireless device 14. However, in the eighth aspect not claimed by the invention, as described above, a different cryptographic key can be set for each communication peer belonging to the same wireless subnet, thereby making it possible to realize OTA provisioning without using the provisional wireless subnet N12. -
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a communication system wherein the eighth aspect not claimed by the invention has been applied. InFIG. 22 , blocks which are the same as those shown inFIG. 11 are designated with the same reference numerals. Thecommunication system 4 shown inFIG. 22 includes aconvertible wireless device 17 instead of theconvertible wireless device 14 of thecommunication system 3 shown inFIG. 11 , and uses two cryptographic keys K11 and K12 in communications performed in the wireless subnet N11. - The cryptographic key K11 is used in communications between the
wireless devices 11a to 11d, theconvertible wireless device 17, and thebackbone router 20a forming the wireless subnet N11, and the cryptographic key K12 is used in communications between theconvertible wireless device 17 and thewireless device 12f that is subjected to OTA provisioning. By using the two cryptographic keys K11 and K12 in the wireless subnet N11 in this way, it is possible maintain security while realizing OTA provisioning, without using the provisional wireless subnet N12. - While the management apparatus and communication system in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing preferred embodiments and can be freely modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the example described in the foregoing preferred embodiments, the convertible wireless device includes a protocol processing unit that processes an existing communication protocol, and an extended link protocol processing unit that sets extended links according to the existing communication protocol. However, it is acceptable to provide special processing units for setting properties for the extended links, and to switch between them. Furthermore, while in the example described in the foregoing preferred embodiments, a communication system performs wireless communications compliant with ISA100.11a and WirelessHART (Registered Trademark), the present invention is not limited to these standards, and can be applied in any wireless communication standard.
- Furthermore, in the example described in the foregoing preferred embodiments, the
backbone routers 20a to 20c, thecoordinator 30, thetime server 40, and thegateway 50 are separate devices. However, any two or more of these can be configured as a single device. Moreover, while in the example described in the foregoing preferred embodiments, thewireless devices 11a to 11e, thewireless devices 12a to 12e, theconvertible wireless devices 13a to 13c, and such like are field devices, they are not limited to field devices. - The present invention can be applied to a management apparatus, method and a communication system that includes a management apparatus, and enables wireless communication via a wireless network even if there is a mixture of wireless communication devices having different specifications on that wireless network.
-
- 1 to 4
- communication system
- 11
- wireless device
- 11a to 11g
- wireless device
- 12
- wireless device
- 12a to 12f
- wireless device
- 13
- convertible wireless device
- 13a to 13d
- convertible wireless device
- 14 to 17
- convertible wireless device
- 20a to 20c
- backbone router
- 30
- coordinator
- 34
- extended link management unit
- CH
- channel
- CP
- communication property
- CP1, CP2
- communication property
- CP10 to CP14
- communication property
- CP21, CP22
- communication property
- CP31 to
CP 33 - communication property
- CP41, CP42
- communication property
- D1, D2
- wireless communication device
- DB1
- template database
- DB2
- communication property database
- EL
- extended link
- EL1, EL2
- extended link
- M
- management apparatus
- N
- wireless network
- N1, N2, N4
- wireless network
- N11, N12
- wireless subnet
- NL
- link
- TS
- timeslot
Claims (8)
- A management apparatus (M) that manages a wireless communication network formed by a plurality of wireless communication devices (D1, D2) capable of TDMA wireless communication, the wireless communication network enabling multi-hop connection, comprising:an extended link management unit (34) configured to manage extended links (EL), each of which defining channels (CH) and timeslots (TS) used in the TDMA wireless communication, specifying a communication direction and containing respective property information characterizing the wireless communications enabling multi-hop connection performed by the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) using the extended link (EL),wherein the property information contains at least one of: information indicating a communication protocol, a frequency channel, an antenna, a modulation, a cryptographic algorithm, and a cryptographic key, which are used in the wireless communication, information indicating the bandwidth of the wireless communication, and information indicating another wireless network to be connected to the wireless network (N),characterized in thatthe extended link management unit (34) comprises:a first database (DB1) that stores information including an occupy timeslot needed for the wireless communication and a communication protocol switching margin and communication protocols supported by each of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) needed when setting property information for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) forming the wireless network (N); anda second database (DB2) that stores property information presently set for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) and contains information indicating at least the channels (CH), the timeslots (TS), the communication directions, device IDs of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2), device IDs of communication peers of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2), and communication protocols, andthe extended link management unit (34) is configured to refer to the first and second databases (DB1, DB2) and set new property information for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) so that communication protocols match with the communication peers.
- The management apparatus (M) according to claim 1, wherein the extended link management unit (34) also is configured to refer to the first and second databases (DB1, DB2) and set new property information for other wireless communication devices that communicate with the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) .
- The management apparatus (M) according to claim 1, wherein the extended link management unit (34) is configured to refer to the first and second databases (DB1, DB2) and set new property information for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) and the communication peers, without affecting existing communications of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) and the communication peers.
- The management apparatus (M) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless network is coupled to a backbone network (N3), and the management apparatus (M) further comprises:protocol processing units (33) configured to perform protocol processes according to predetermined wireless communication standards;virtual interface units (32) coupled to the protocol processing units (33) and configured to identify communication protocols; anda backbone interface (31) coupled to the virtual interface units (32) and configured to transmit signals from the virtual interface units (32) to the backbone network (N3), receive signals transmitted from the backbone network (N3), and output the received signals to the virtual interface units (32).
- A communication system (1) capable of wireless communication via a wireless network (N) enabling multi-hop connection, comprising:a management apparatus (M) that manages a wireless communication network; anda plurality of wireless communication devices (D1, D2), with property information contained in extended links (EL) managed by the management apparatus (M) having been set therein, the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) performing TDMA wireless communication characterized according to the property information that has been set, whereinthe management apparatus (M) includes an extended link management unit (34) configured to manage extended links (EL), each of which defining channels (CH) and timeslots (TS) used in the TDMA wireless communication, specifying a communication direction and containing respective property information characterizing the wireless communications enabling multi-hop connection performed by the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) using the extended link (EL),wherein the property information contains at least one of: information indicating a communication protocol, a frequency channel, an antenna, a modulation, a cryptographic algorithm, and a cryptographic key, which are used in the wireless communication, information indicating the bandwidth of the wireless communication, and information indicating another wireless network to be connected to the wireless network (N),characterized in thatthe extended link management unit (34) comprises:a first database (DB1) that stores information including an occupy timeslot needed for the wireless communication and a communication protocol switching margin and communication protocols supported by each of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) needed when setting property information for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) forming the wireless network (N); anda second database (DB2) that stores property information presently set for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) and contains information indicating at least the channels (CH), the timeslots (TS), the communication directions, device IDs of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2), device IDs of communication peers of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2), and communication protocols, andthe extended link management unit (34) is configured to refer to the first and second databases (DB1, DB2) and set new property information for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) so that communication protocols match with the communication peers.
- The communication system (1) according to claim 5, further comprising:
a wireless communication device (D1, D2) that is configured to use different communication protocols to advertise information needed to allow a wireless communication device (D1, D2) that does not belong to the wireless network (N) to join the wireless network (N). - The communication system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the extended link management unit (34) is also configured to refer to the first and second databases (DB1, DB2) and set new property information for other wireless communication devices that communicate with the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) .
- A management method for managing a wireless communication network formed by a plurality of wireless communication devices (D1, D2) capable of TDMA wireless communication, the wireless communication network enabling multi-hop connection, comprising:managing extended links (EL), each of which defining channels (CH) and timeslots (TS) used in the TDMA wireless communication, specifying a communication direction and containing respective property information characterizing the wireless communications enabling multi-hop connection performed by the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) using the extended link (EL),wherein the property information contains at least one of: information indicating a communication protocol, a frequency channel, an antenna, a modulation, a cryptographic algorithm, and a cryptographic key, which are used in the wireless communication, information indicating the bandwidth of the wireless communication, and information indicating another wireless network to be connected to the wireless network (N), andcharacterized in thatmanaging the extended links (EL) comprises:referring to a first database (DB1) and a second database (DB2), the first database (DB1) storing information including an occupy timeslot needed for the wireless communication and a communication protocol switching margin and communication protocols supported by each of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) needed when setting property information for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) forming the wireless network (N), the second database (DB2) storing property information presently set for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) and containing information indicating at least the channels (CH), the timeslots (TS), the communication directions, device IDs of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2), device IDs of communication peers of the wireless communication devices (D1, D2), and communication protocols; andsetting new property information for the wireless communication devices (D1, D2) so that communication protocols match with the communication peers.
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JP2012094948A JP5720617B2 (en) | 2012-04-18 | 2012-04-18 | Management apparatus and communication system |
PCT/JP2013/060824 WO2013157460A1 (en) | 2012-04-18 | 2013-04-10 | Management apparatus and communication system |
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US9544081B2 (en) * | 2013-04-26 | 2017-01-10 | Honeywell International Inc. | Slot segregation for supporting multiple communication protocols in an industrial wireless network |
US10148749B2 (en) * | 2014-02-04 | 2018-12-04 | Dell Products L.P. | Local connection and sharing system |
JP6273155B2 (en) * | 2014-02-19 | 2018-01-31 | 横河電機株式会社 | Information setting device, information setting method, information setting program, recording medium, and wireless communication system |
JP6398403B2 (en) * | 2014-07-14 | 2018-10-03 | 沖電気工業株式会社 | Network shared system, network monitoring server, information processing method, program, communication terminal, and relay device |
JP6251664B2 (en) * | 2014-11-19 | 2017-12-20 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Control method, control device, and control program |
JP6421110B2 (en) * | 2015-12-03 | 2018-11-07 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Wireless communication system control apparatus, protocol switching control method and program thereof |
US11150632B2 (en) * | 2018-03-16 | 2021-10-19 | Yokogawa Electric Corporation | System and method for field device management using class parameter set |
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ES2617732T3 (en) * | 2007-06-18 | 2017-06-19 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Transmission of system information |
KR101422852B1 (en) * | 2008-02-26 | 2014-07-25 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Method for allocating control information in wireless communication system |
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JP4894076B2 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2012-03-07 | 横河電機株式会社 | Relay device and wireless control network management system using the same |
WO2013012851A1 (en) * | 2011-07-20 | 2013-01-24 | General Equipment And Manufacturing Company, Inc., D/B/A Topworx, Inc. | Wireless monitoring and control of safety stations in a process plant |
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CN104041176A (en) | 2014-09-10 |
JP5720617B2 (en) | 2015-05-20 |
US20150055637A1 (en) | 2015-02-26 |
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